Artificial eye for dolls



May 5, 1936.

N. PoPQvlcl-i ARTIFICIAL EYE FOR DOLLS Filed Jan. 3, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l MTTORNEY May 5, 1936; N, POPQVICH v 2,039,928

ARTIFICIAL EYE FOR DOLLS Filed Jan. 3, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WNVETOR BY zlf M q TORNEY May 5, 1936. N. PoPovlcH 2,039,928

ARTIFICIAL EYE FR DOLLS Filed Jan. 3, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A MW mw TTORNEY Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTIFICIAL EYE FOR. DCLLS Application January 3, 1935', Serial No. 292

11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to eyes for dolls and artificial figures, including eye members which are mounted within the head of a doll or the like in eye openings or sockets to simulate natural movement of the eyes as in opening and closing thereof. The invention also contemplates eyes of this character which are also capable of simulating lateral or sidewise movement of the eyeballs.

Known eyes of the general character described usually include eyeballs mounted on supports that are anchored in the heads adhesively or by penetration of the material of which the head is formed. It has been diicult if not impossible to construct and mount movable eyes in doll heads formed of rubber because of the soft yielding character of the rubber and its inherent tendency to stretching and deformation under pressure which would cause dislocation of the eyes or injury to the eyes or head or both. Moreover, with known movable eye structures the eye members loosely t the eye sockets so that should a child attempt to wash the doll head with an excess of Water the Water would enter the eye sockets and corrode the eye members, as well as distort the head upon drying when the head is formed of wood pulp or absorptive material. Furthermore it has been necessary to yieldingly mount the eye members in the eye sockets to compensate for expansion and contraction of the head and ensure free movement of the eye members and proper correlation thereof.

It is highly desirable to use rubber heads instead of heads of wood pulp, papier-mache or the like, and to permit washing or even dipping of the heads in water.

Therefore one object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved artificial eye that can be easily, quickly and securely mounted with a substantially water-tight fit in the eye socket in a rubber doll head without undue danger of dislocation of the eyes or injury to the eye or head.

Another object is to provide a doll eye structure of the general character described which shall embody a novel and improved construction and combination of alcasing and an eyeball, and novel and improved means for rotatably mounting the eyeballin the casing.

A further object is to provide such an eye unit which shall comprise a protective casing or housing and an eye ballrotatably mounted in the casing, whereby the casing can be directly secured in an eye socket in the head and will serve both as a. mount and a shield or guard for the eye ball.

Other objects are to provide aneye unit of this character which shall embody in itself means for anchoring the unit in an eye socket; and to 5 provide such a unit that canbe mounted in either a rubber head or a head formed of pulp or other relatively hard and non-yielding but penetrable material.

Further objects are to provide an eye unit 10 which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction and reliable and durable in operation; and to obtain other advantages and results as will be brought out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in l5 which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several views by the same reference characters,

Figure 1 is a front elevation oi a doll head having therein eye units embodying my inven- 20 tion.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3 3 0f Figure 1. 25 Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the eye unit inserted in the head.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the head tilted to simulate closing of the eyes.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of a 30 doll head with an eye unit mounted to simulate sidewise or lateral movement of the eyeball.

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the head tilted to cause lateral movement of the eyeball.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modification of the invention.

Figure l0 is a detached front elevation of the 40 unit shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a further modication of the invention.

Figure l2 is a horizontal view on the line I 2| 2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary transverse ver- 'tical sectional view through the face portion of a. doll head showing a further modication of the eye unit in side elevation.

Figure 1 4 is a similar view showing the eye 5o unit in transverse vertical section.

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view on the line |5-I5 of Figure 14.

Flgurelis aviewsimilartoFlguz-e 15 showing another modification of the eye unit,

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing another modiiication oi' the invention.

Figure 18 is a front elevation of the eye unit shown in Figure 17 detached from the head.

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 17 showing the doll head tilted to simulate closing of the eye. Figure 20 is a view similar to Figure 17 showing another form of elastic eye socket and eyeball,

Figure 21 is a similar view showing the manner of inserting the eyeball into the socket, and

Figure 22 is a rear elevation of the eyeball and eye socket shown in Figure 20.

Specifically describing the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the reference character A designates a doll head which may be formed of any suitable material, the invention contemplating use of the eye unit in either elastic rubber doll heads or in relatively hard inelastic doll heads formed of wood pulp, or the like. As usual, the doll head is formed with eye openings l, and in accordance with the invention recesses 2 are formed in the inner Walls of the doll head to register with and merge into the eye openings I.

'I'he eye units are identical in construction so that only one will be described. Each eye unit includes a casing or housing B which is preferably, although not necessarily approximately a sheet metal hollow spherical shell. As shown, the casing is composed of two complemental segments of a sphere, and one segment 3 may be formed of sheet metal while the other segment 4 constitutes a transparency and may be formed of celluloid or the like. The edge of the section I has a marginal flange 5 within which the edges of the section 4 are seated, for example as is a watch crystal in a bezel. If desired adhesive may be utilized to make a tight joint between the two sections.

Within the casing is rotatably mounted an eyeball C which is shown as consisting of a spherical segment 6 of suitable material such as metal having a representation 1 of a. pupil and iris disposed in juxtaposition to the transparency 4. Preferably, the eyeball is mounted on a diametral axis which in the present instance is shown as comprising a rod 8 which passes through diametrically opposite axially alined openings 9 in the section 3 of the casing and through corresponding openings III in the spherical segment 6. The spherical segment has a pendulous weight I I to cause gravitational rotation of the segment, or to hold the segment against rotation and permit rotation of the casing relative to the eyeball segment; and the segment 6 has'. stop shoulders I2 to engage an extension I3 on the pivot rod 3 to limit relative rotation of the casing and eyeball segment. As shown, the extension I3 passes through an opening I4 in the casing adjacent one of the openings 9, and the rod is crimped at I5 to snap over the edge of the opening and hold the rod in position.

In mounting the eye unit in a doll head the casing is pressed into the corresponding recess 2 in the head with the transparency 4 registering with the eye opening I as shown in Figure 2. It will thus be seen that the eye unit is especially usei'ul with rubber doll heads since the rubber of the head may stretch to permit the casing B to be inserted into the recess and after the casing is seated, the rubber will contract to tightly hold the casing in the recess. Ii desired, the casing may be formed with an exterior protuberance I1 to fit a corresponding socket I8 in the wall of the recess 2 for more positively holding the casing in the recess. Obviously, the casing will be so mounted that when the head is heldin vertical position the pupil and iris representation 1 will register with the eye .opening I, as shown in Figure 2, and when the head is tilted, the pupil and iris'representation will be covered and concealed by the 5 portion of the head adiacent the lower edge o! the opening as shown in Figure 5 to simulate closing of the eye.

lf desired, the eye unit may be mounted in` the recess 2 with the axis of rotation transverse l0 of the eye opening or vertical in the head, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, so that upon sidewise tilting of the head relative movement of the casing 3 and eyeball segment will simulate sidewise movement of the pupil and iris as shown in Figure '7.

The structure shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive may be modified so as to simulate both the opening and closing oi the iris and lateral or sidewise movement of the eyeball. for example as shown in Figures 9 and l0. The outer surface of the eyeball segment 6 may have a peripheral groove 20. and a circular disc 2i bearing the representation of a pupil and iris may be mounted in the groove and held against displacement by the transparent segment 4 of the casing, as shown in Figure 9. Obviously, tilting of the head sidewise will cause the disc 2| to roll lengthwise of the groove 20 so as to simulate sidewise movement of the eyeball.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figures 11 and 12 where the casing is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 2, but the eyeball is in the form of a hollow sphere consisting of two segments 22 and 23. One of the segments, for example 22 may be formed of sheet metal and has a flange 24 in which the section 23 is secured. The other section 23 may be formed of heavier material or made thicker than the section 22 so as to cause a pendulous action under influence of gravity. The section 22 has the pupil and iris representation 25 in juxtaposition to the transparency 4 of the casing.

For pivotally mounting the eyeball in the casing, the cuter surface of the eyeball is formed with diametrically opposite concavities or recesses 26 and the inside of the casing has correspondingly shaped projections 21 fitted in the concavities.

To limit relative rotation of the eyeball and casing, the eyeball is formed with a slot 28 the longitudinal median plane of which is approximately perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the eyeball, and the casing has a tongue 29 stamped therefrom and projecting into the slot 2s so that engagement of the ends of the slot 55 with the tongue will limit the relative rotation of the casing and eyeball.

Figure 16 shows another manner of pivotally mounting the eyeball in the casing. Here, the casing is formed on its interior with segmentally spherical diametrically opposite concavities 30, While the outer surface of the eyeball has similar concavities 3l, an'd between the eyeball and the casing and seated in the concavities 30 and 3| are bearing or pivot balls 32.

Where the eye unit is to be used in a doll head formed of hard but penetrable material, such as wood pulp, it is desirable to provide means for positively holding the eye units in position. In such cases, the inner sides of the doll head are `formed with approximately cylindrical recesses Y33 which merge into the eye openings in the same manner as do the recesses 2, and integral prongs 34 are stamped up from the casing section 35 and are pressed with a suitable tool out- 75 wardly from the casing to cause penetration of the material of the head at the inner walls of the recesses 33 as shown in Figures 14 and 15. Obviously, the eye units will be properly located in the recesses 33 relative to the eye openings before the prongs 34 are forced into the material of the doll head. In Figure 13 the prongs are shown in'their normal positions during the initial positioning of the eye unit in the recess, while Figure 14 shows the prongs in nal position. These prongs will prevent displacement of the eye units from the recesses and have a function similar to that of the elasticity of the rubber doll head and'the protuberances Il and sockets i3 shown in Figure 2.

In all forms of the invention, it will be observed that the casing tightly nts the eye sockets or recesses and eye openings so that passage of water into the head through the eye openings will be prevented. Also, the casings protect the eye balls against injury or soiling and the units can be independently mounted in the eye sockets Without either affecting the other as is the case where eye members are connected together and especially when the eye openings are out of alinernent or the head is otherwise distorted. Furthermore, the units are simple, inexpensive and durable, and the eyeballs are sensitive, that is, free and quick relative movement of the head and eyeballs is ensured.

In Figures 17 to 19 inclusive is shown another form of the invention wherein the casing C is shown as consisting of two sections 35 and 36 in general similar to the sections 3 and 4, one of the sections, in the present instance the section 36 having an eye opening 31 to register with the eye opening l of the doll head. Preferably the section 35 is formed of stiff durable material such as metal instead of Celluloid as is the section l. The eyeball D is in general similar to that shown in Figure 1l, but is shown as provided with eyelashes 38 and the representation of a lid 39 with the lashes 38 projecting through the openings 3l ci the casing so as to provide a realistic simulation oi the natural eyelashes and eyelid. The operation of this form of the invention is in genera-l the saine as the operation of the forms hereinbefore described, the main difference being that the lashes 38 project through the eye opening during operation of the eye ball.A

Another modication of the invention is shown in Figures 20 to 22 inclusive wherein the doll head has an eye socket 40 on its inner side in` register with the eye opening 4i, and the socket has elastic walls which may be formed by making the doll head of rubber. The sockets open into the head and the mouths are constricted as by inwardly projecting anges 42 which are smaller in diameter than the eyeballs 43. These eyeballs may be spherical and wholly formed of glass or other suitable material, and are inserted into the sockets by pressing the eyeballs into the inner ends of the sockets and stretchingl the anges 42 and walls of the sockets. After the eyeballs are seated, the elastic walls and anges 42 elastically clamp the eyeballs in `the socket. It should be understood that the specific shape and structure of the' sockets and eyeballs may be varied without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Other modifications of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art as within the scope of the invention and therefore I do not desire to be limited in the construction and use of the invention, except as required by the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art. In the appended claims the term transparency is intended to include an uncovered opening or an opening covered by transparent material.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An artificial eye unit for dolls, comprising a casing to be fitted into an eye socket and having a transparency in its walls, and an eye ball consisting of a hollow sphere formed of two complemental spherical segments one lof which is heavier than the other, one thereof having a representation of a pupil and iris in juxtaposition to said transparency, and means mounting said eye ball on a diametral axis to rotate by gravity for moving said pupil and iris relative to said transparency.

2. An artificial eye unit for dolls comprising a casing to be ntted into an eye socket of a doll head and having a transparency, an eye ball within said casing said casing having opposite axially alined openings in its walls and another opening adjacent one of said opposite openings, and a' pivot rod passing through said opposite openings and through said eye ball to rotatably mount the latter in the casing, said rod having an extension passing through the other opening into said casing to form a stop to engage and limit rotation of said eye ball.

3. The combination of adoll head having eye openings in the face and recesses on the inside oi the head merging into said eye openings, and eye units each comprising a closed casing tightly itted into one recess and having a transparency registering with the respective eye opening, and an eyeball rotatably mounted in said casing.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said casings have integral prongs struck up therefrom and penetrating the walls of said recesses for securing the casings therein.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said doll head is formed of elastic material, said recesses are undercut and said oasings are held in the recesses by the elasticity of the material around the recesses.

6. In combination, a doll head having eye openings and eye sockets on its inner walls in register with said eye openings and opening into said head, andv eyeballs inserted into said sockets from the inside of the head, said sockets having elastic walls and being constricted at their inner ends so thatthe eyeballs are elastically clamped in the sockets.

'7. The combination of a doll head having eye openings in the face and recesses on the inside of the head merging into said eye openings, and eye units each comprising a casing having an opening tightly closed by transparent material to register with one of said eye openings in the head, said casings .being tted into said eye` weighted to cause gravitational rotation ot the eyeball, said sphere having a circumferential slot and said casing having a projection in said slot to limit rotation of said sphere.

9. An artificial eye unit for dolls, comprising a casing to be iitted into an eye socket and having a transparency in its walls, and an eyeball consisting of a sphere mounted n a diametral axis to rotate in said casing and having a representation of a pupil and iris in juxtaposition to said transparency, a portion of said sphere being weighted to cause gravitational rotation of the eyeball, said sphere having a peripheral slot the longitudinal median plane of which is perpendicular to said axis, and said casing having a projection in said slot to limit rotation of said sphere.

10. An artificial eye unit for dolls comprising a casing in the form of a sheet metal shell having spherical wall portions provided with an opening, a sheet metal eyeball within said casing having spherical Wall portions, said spherical Wall portions of one of said casing and said eyeball having diametrically opposite projections formed integrally therewith and the spherical wall portions of the other having diametrically :,osaoas opposite recesses receiving said projections to rotatably mount the eye ball in the casing, said eyeball having a representation of a pupil and iris in juxtaposition to said opening, whereby relative rotation of said casing and eyeball produces a simulation of opening and closing of an eye.

11. An artificial eye unit for dolls comprising a casing in the form of a sheet metal shell having spherical wall portions provided with an opening, a sheet metal eyeball within said casing having spherical wall portions, said spherical wall portions of said casing having diametrically opposite recesses on the inside and said spherical portions of the walls of said eyeball having diametrically opposite recesses on the outside in juxtaposition to said recesses in the casing, and pivot balls disposed in said recesses between the casing and the eyeball to rotatably mount the eyeball in the casing, said eyeball having a representation of a pupil and iris in juxtaposition to said opening, whereby relative rotation of said casing and eyeball produces a simulation of opening and closing of an eye.

NICHOLAS POPOVICH. 

